30-Jun-2019 – On Nov. 9, 2018, the explosive Woolsey Fire roared into Malibu California causing a vast majority of residents to be evacuated, but several homeowners and some fire brigade volunteers stayed behind to try and keep blazes from encroaching on area homes.
According to Malibu Surfside News the Malibu West Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed in 2012 with the thought that if and when a big fire came, resources would be spread too thin. Newly elected Malibu councilmember Mikke Pierson said the fire department was not in Malibu West for the first four hours of activity, but added that he has long held the belief that residents cannot expect their homes to be saved.
“If you live in Malibu in a high fire zone, which is pretty much all of Malibu, and you expect other people to come and save your house, then you need to reevaluate that position,” Pierson said.
While Pierson credits those who stayed behind with saving about 200 homes in Malibu West, he also admits that the City will have to discuss those who, like him, ignored evacuation orders and stayed behind, but who saved hundreds of homes by doing so.
Since late-2017 USFRA has worked with the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation to arrange several REFRESH eye drop donations to various CA fire departments so, once things calmed down in SoCal after the Woolsey Fire consumed almost 100,000 acres, USFRA reached out to LAEPF to see if Jägermeister and USFRA could assist with a $15,000 donation for their after-action report, and hopefully a local volunteer fire department.
LAEPF shared the story about how MWVFB saved hundreds of homes and we all agreed part of the donation would go to the volunteer brigade’s fund helping install additional hose boxes in West Malibu.
On June 22, 2019, the Malibu West VFB held a training day with their new recruits at Trancas Canyon Park focusing on a variety of skills, including handling high-pressure hoses and learning tactics as well as retreat maneuvers.
After the training Brent Woodworth, Chairman and President of the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation, joined WMVFB’s chief, Malibu resident Dermot Stoker and the volunteers for a photo op.
Our thanks go out to MJUS for their continued support, and to LAEPF and WMVFB for helping their communities during and after the Woolsey Fire.
Additional resource:
LAEPF’s “The 2018 Woolsey Fire: A Catalyst for Change” report (60-pg PDF)